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Creation of Gold Fountain Pen Nib Made Entirely in Japan

From Beginnings aboard Ship to Creation of Gold Fountain Pen Nibs Made Entirely in Japan
Against a backdrop of ruthless competition as Japanese manufacturers attempted to create a fountain pen, it was the two founders of what is now the PILOT Corporation, who overcame the numerous technological difficulties that stood in their way. They succeeded in developing a fountain pen that had been made entirely in Japan and that the world was proud to use, establishing Namiki Manufacturing, the forerunner of PILOT, to become industry pioneers.

The Story of PILOT's Establishment

1909

Ryosuke Namiki obtains patent for Namiki Ruling Pen (This ruling pen, a writing instrument used for drawing and cartography, is designed to store ink in the pen itself) Manufacture and sales of ruling pens commence

World-Renowned Maki-E Fountain Pens

Early in the Showa era (1926–1989), the Pilot maki-e (decorated lacquer) fountain pen, which was decorated using Japanese traditional lacquer craftsmanship on its shaft, attracted attention in many countries around the world due to its practicality and artistic beauty. In 1930, a contract was signed with Alfred Dunhill, Ltd., which gave rise to the Dunhill-Namiki fountain pen. With this, the endorsement of the maki-e fountain pen was realized in both name and reality and led to its dominance.

Namiki Manufacturing opens branches and sales offices in New York, London, Shanghai and Singapore
Commences sales of taka-maki-e (raised decorated lacquer) fountain pens, exports them when expanding into European and U.S. markets

From Fountain Pen Manufacturer to Comprehensive Manufacturer of Writing Instruments
Entering a period of high growth, the diversification of writing instruments in Japan progressed. The sales channels of a variety of writing instruments—such as ballpoint pens, felt pens and mechanical pencils, all imbued with Pilot Pen’s signature superior quality and performance—continued to spread out from Japan and across the whole world.

1948

Pilot Pen opens its Hiratsuka Plant on former Naval Explosive Ammunition Storage site

Commences manufacture and sales of new whiteboards, succeeds in developing new business in educational supplies.

Chapter4

1970s to present day

Development of Original Hit Products towards100th Anniversary

As the personal market expanded from the 1980s onward, the production system at each factory was strengthened to keep pace with market demand. At the same time, the technological prowess and developmental capabilities cultivated over PILOT’s long history has continued to flourish in the form of a succession of original new Pilot writing instruments.

1971

Pilot Pen launches Custom series of fountain pens designed for contemporary Japanese users to write Japanese text

1972

Commences manufacture and sales of precious metal and jewelry products

Establishes Pilot Corporation of America as manufacturing and sales company in United States